Iran and Iraq Strengthen Ties for Regional Security

Synopsis

On February 4, 2023, Iran and Iraq emphasized the need to enhance their cooperation to achieve security and stability in the West Asia region, as reported by ICANA, the Iranian parliament's news agency. Key discussions included political and economic relations, border management, and security collaboration.

Key Takeaways

Iran and Iraq are enhancing bilateral cooperation for regional stability.
Political and economic relations are key focus areas.
Both nations are committed to supporting the Muslim community.
Transparency in oil exports is being emphasized by Iraq.
Iraq reaffirms its commitment to Arab and Islamic principles.

Tehran, Feb 4 (NationPress) Iran and Iraq underscored the importance of enhancing their mutual cooperation to promote security and stability in the West Asia region, as reported by the ICANA news agency affiliated with the Iranian parliament.

During a joint press briefing after their discussions in Tehran, the capital of Iran, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and his visiting Iraqi counterpart Mahmoud al-Mashhadani pointed out the need to strengthen bilateral relations.

“Our objective is to elevate our political and economic ties, which will play a crucial role in fostering peace and stability throughout the region and among neighboring Arab, non-Arab, and Muslim nations,” Qalibaf stated.

He noted that the connections between the peoples, parliaments, and governments of Iran and Iraq are at an all-time high, emphasizing that as two Muslim countries, they are perpetually prepared to uphold the resistance front and the dignity of the Muslim community, as reported by Xinhua.

The Iraqi parliament speaker remarked that the key topics addressed during his visit to Tehran included border issues, economic partnerships, and security collaboration, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

“We explored ways to bolster the security stability of the region,” he stressed, adding that “Iraq will remain committed to its Arab and Islamic principles and is open to all.”

ICANA reported that Mashhadani assured that Iraq would consistently support Iran and serve as its neighboring country’s “wings,” expressing hope for further enhancement of bilateral relations.

In the meantime, Iraq denied any involvement in acquiring, receiving, or re-exporting Iranian crude oil to assist Iran in evading sanctions, clarifying that its export practices are under strict regulations.

All volumes of Iraqi crude oil are exported in compliance with international mechanisms and standards, ensuring the utmost transparency, according to a statement from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, a government-owned entity linked to the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

The company responsible for marketing Iraq's oil confirmed that it does not engage with any companies or vessels that are subject to international sanctions, committing to disclose the names of all vessels transporting petroleum products from Iraqi ports to bolster transparency.